The Government of Saint Lucia is proud to be hosting the โSaint Lucia Business Forumโ on February 21st, 2022 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.
Join us for this full-day conference packed with insightful presentations from investment experts, networking sessions and thought-provoking panel discussions. Learn more about Saint Lucia and why the island is a trending investment destination.
Discover the various opportunities for investing in diverseโฏprojects and key economic sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, agribusiness and renewable energy. Our illustrious panelists include Government of Saint Lucia officials, CEOs and Board Directors, Saint Lucian icons, Corporate Personnel and more.
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing our business opportunities with you!
09:00 Opening Remarks – Honourable Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information
09:15 Tourism Showcase: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority – Richard Moss, Senior Sales Manager, Patricia Charlery-Leon, UK Market Manager, Lorine Charles-St. Jules, CEO
11:00 Tea Break
11:15 Investment Landscape – Invest Saint Lucia Video Presentation
11:20 Panel Discussion “Investing in Saint Lucia: From unprecedented times to new opportunities” – Moderator: Roderick Cherry, CEO, Invest Saint Lucia, Panelists: Honourable Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs; Mr. Lachezar Todorov, Director, TTS Resorts Ltd.; Mr. Marvin Bartholomew, Vice President of Operations, KM2 Solutions; Mr. Eaton Jn. Baptiste, Managing Director, Brice and Co.
13:00 Lunch Break
14:00 CIP Showcase: Citizenship by Investment Saint Lucia – Remarks by Sean Alexander, Director, Citizenship by Investment Board
14:10 Video Presentation: The Citizenship Application Process
14:15 Sponsor Video Highlight, Panel Discussion: “Obtaining citizenship is no longer a transaction but the beginning of a partnership” – Moderator: Chief Executive Officer, Citizenship by Investment Unit, Panelists: Arton Capital, Licensed Marketing Agent; Galaxy Group, Real Estate Developer; UNO Capital, Licensed Promoter; RIF Trust Investment, Licensed Promoter
14:45 Guest Speaker Engagement – Arsalan Al Hashimi, Global Citizen: Saint Lucian, High Performance Master Coach
15:05 Video Presentation: Citizenship Beyond the Passport
15:10 Panel Discussion: “Beyond the Passport – I am a Global Citizen” – Moderator: Marketing Manager, Citizenship by Investment Unit, Panelists: Rajan Nazran, Chief Explorer, Global Indian Series; Michel Abboud, Citizen, President of the Maserati Ownerโs Club, UAE
– Honourable Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information
16:05 Closing Remarks – Honourable Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs
16:30 Business Connect Activity – Appointment-based meetings with Ministers of Government
17:30 Cocktail Reception and Auction – Art piece by Saint Lucian artist Jallim Eudovic
Connect with industry professionals and learn about Saint Luciaโs investment climate. The Business Forum brings together some of our industryโs top minds.
Chief Executive Officer, Invest Saint Lucia
Mr. Roderick Cherry brings a wealth of leadership and experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Invest Saint Lucia. He holds an MBA in Strategic Management and is a 25-year management and marketing veteran with extensive experience in Strategy Development and Strategic Management, Dispute Arbitration, Corporate Governance, and Change Management.
He served as Chief Operations Officer of the Saint Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association and, subsequently, as its CEO. He has also served as the CEO of the National Insurance Property Development & Management Company (NIPRO), the Executive Director of the St Lucia National Conservation Fund, and the Senior Manager for Marketing at ECFH.
Mr. Cherry is a former Chairman of the National Conservation Fund, a former Commissioner on the Board of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) and has served on both the Boards of the Solid Waste Management Authority and the Soufriere Marine Management Association (SMMA).
When he is not in the boardroom, Roderick enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures. He is also an avid cyclist.
Vice President of Operations, KM2 Solutions
Marvin Bartholomew is a BPO executive with over 20 years of broad industry experience. He is presently Vice President of Operations at KM2 Solutions, the largest BPO in the Eastern Caribbean, and has responsibility for the St. Lucia and Grenada operations. He has spent the last 10 years growing KM2โs St. Lucia business from a modest operation to now the largest in the companyโs expanding global presence and among the largest employers and businesses in St. Lucia. He has also worked in several other Caribbean islands as well as the United States, honing skills and insights from various markets and industries.
As a senior executive with his company, Marvin has a seat at the strategic table and uses that influence to advocate for sustainable business development, an issue he is passionate about.
As a Caribbean person he is broadly interested in Caribbean issues, particularly economic development, education, governance, and how they collide to create growth and opportunity for the region and has written about these issues in St. Lucian publications. He holds an MBA with distinction from the University of Liverpool and deftly balances the academic with the practical in shaping business culture and practice. Marvin is also an avid reader, musician, and music director at his church.
CEO, Terra Tour Service EOOD
Manager, Hornit Ltd.
Director, Helios Lodges Company
Director, TTS Resorts Ltd.
With more than 25 years of experience in tourism and travel, Lachezar started his career in travel management and tour operation in 1990 in Carlson Wagonlit Travel as an intern. By 1995 he became an account manager in the same company, responsible for the key accounts the company provided services to in Bulgaria. However, 2001 marked a serious professional change, when he joined the newly established group of companies around Terra Tour Service EOOD, which concentrated the private investment in tourism and hospitality of Agrohold AD, originally as CEO of Relax Plus AD and later on as CEO of the mother company itself. In 2001 he also became the CEO of the travel agency and tour operator of the group โ Hornit OOD, a licensed Travel Agency and tour operator accredited by IATA with over 30 years of experience in business travel inbound and outbound package tours and private jet operation and management.
His professional experience grew with extensive involvement with international hotel management companies like RIU, Hyatt International, Kempinski, Marriott International, Accor Group, and IHG. Lachezar is well respected on the tour-operating site due to his long and fruitful history with all tour-operators from the group of TUI and other international and local ones, doing business across Europe, Russia, and the CIS countries.
In 2019 TTS Resorts Ltd. was incorporated in Saint Lucia, where Mr. Todorov is also a Director and CEO. He is a member of the National Tourism Board of Bulgaria and a practical speaker at various business forums in Bulgaria and abroad.
Mr. Todorov graduated from the Moscow State Institute for International Relations in 1991 with a masterโs degree in international relations. He is married with four children and resides in Sofia.
Chairman, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority
Mr Thaddeus Marc Antoine, Esq is a Barrister, Attorney at Law and Notary of over 20 yearsโ experience. Managing Partner of the boutique Corporate Law firm of TM ANTOINE Partners, holding a Bachelors of Law (LL. B) from University of Wolverhampton, England and also a Masters in Law (LL.M) from Kings College, University of London, England specializing in Corporate and Commercial Law. He was first called to the Bar of England and Wales with Honourable Society of Lincolnโs Inn and then Saint Lucia in 2000.
He is the Chairman of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Former Senator of the Parliament of Saint Lucia, Immediate Past President of the OECS Bar Association, President of International Financial Services Association of Saint Lucia, Deputy Chairman of STEP Saint Lucia branch, and has served on many public and private Board of Directors.
โAs Chairman of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, I am delighted to lead the celebrations for our Independence Day, here at Expo Dubai. There is a true sense of optimism around 2022 being a successful year for travel and now is the time more than ever, to transform and continue to grow our tourism industry in Saint Lucia for the benefit of all.”
Senior Sales Manager (US), Saint Lucia Tourism Authority
Richard is an experienced hospitality and business management professional with unique sales and marketing savvy. He joined the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) with 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry having worked for resorts, attractions and airlines. He believes the powerful potential linkages that tourism creates and sustains, has far-reaching positive impacts for so many communities regionally. As a proud Caribbean national, the continued sustenance, optimal synergistic marketing and smart growth of this industry is a driving force for him personally.
In his current role as Senior Sales Manager, responsible for the largest source market – the US, he is guided and inspired by the mantra “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage” (Anais Nin). As such, he creatively exploits the far-reaching digital platforms of today along with engaging, impactful live and virtual presentations, expertly utilising digital technology alongside traditional distribution channels.
“Travel advisors are such an important part of our distribution strategy and their feedback is a constant consideration in our mix. Supporting them effectively, we fundamentally nurture goodwill for our destination and their confidence further inspires consumer confidence.”
Additionally, at its core Richard considers hospitality a “People and Relationship business” and his uniquely personal approach is what truly differentiates him from his peers.
Richard holds a BSC in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and also an MBA from the University of New Orleans with honors: graduating Beta Gamma Sigma within the top 20 percentile of his class.
Director, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority UK
Patricia Charlery-Leon started her journey with Saint Lucia Tourist Boardโs UK office back in 1998, when she was employed as a Sales Executive. Her passion and dedication grew for Saint Lucia, and she worked her way through the roles of Country Manager, to Director of UK & Europe for Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. Patricia overseas the external agencies (PR, Social Media, media buyers and creative agency) who work to promote Saint Lucia in the UK as well as the country reps in Germany and France. Patricia is an active Board member of the Caribbean Tourism Organisationโs UK & European Chapter.
Patricia has always had a passion for travel and even following a career break to spend time with her family, she remained within the industry working with Caribbean hotel representation companies Clear Marketing International and Essential Detail, as well as working as a consultant on other travel related projects.
“Iโve heard so many positive things about Dubai and the tourism product on offer and canโt wait to see it with my own eyes. I also look forward to having the opportunity to tell more people about how special Saint Lucia is for a holiday experience.”
CEO, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority
With more than two decades of tourism and leadership experience, Mrs. Charles-St. Jules has achieved significant success in the hospitality sector and most recently was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. She served as the USA Account Manager for the Anguilla Tourist Board and has been CEO of global marketing agency PEAEYE7 Marketing International for five years, handling business development and luxury resort marketing throughout the Caribbean, the U.S., and Canada.
Mrs. Charles-St. Jules has deep expertise in setting and executing business strategies across many facets of the tourism industry, including marketing destinations, developing sales programming for luxury resorts, and global travel trade management. An award-winning strategic thinker, she is an accomplished sales leader, research consultant for the Organization of American States, public speaker, and Adjunct Lecturer at Monroe College in New York and University of New Haven, Connecticut.
Mrs. Charles-St. Jules previously held various executive positions at Saint Lucia Tourist Board for nine years including Director of Marketing, and Tourism Planning Officer for the Saint Lucia Ministry of Tourism for two years.
Mrs. Lorine Charles-St. Jules is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, with a masterโs degree in International Tourism Development and Sustainability. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Tourism from the University of the West Indies.
As CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, she is responsible for the overall management of the organization including oversight of the development of the Authorityโs marketing and destination services, and general administration. She works closely with agencies, institutions, and individuals within the public and private sectors of Saint Lucia and abroad.
Enacted in August 2017 and serving as a statutory arm of the Government of Saint Lucia, some of the core roles of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority are to operate as the destinationโs lead marketing agency through targeted campaigns internationally to showcase Saint Lucia on a global scale, positioning Saint Lucia in traditional markets as well as emerging markets and new growth opportunities.
High Performance Master Coach
I love working with people who are driven and looking to go to the next level. I believe no one understands a high achiever better than another high achiever.
I have been a serial high achiever alI my life, in all aspects of my life, whether it was corporate, government, entrepreneurship, or athletic (Iโd even go so far as to say marriage, too). I had an illustrious corporate and government career: I worked on multibillion dollar projects in the aviation and transportation industries, in Marcomms, Project Management and Strategy. I was always a competitive athlete, holding titles like National and Regional Squash Champion and Collegiate Athlete NCAA and Club Division 1 in volleyball and beach volleyball; I trained for and competed in Ironman races; and today I practice yoga and martial arts with focus and determination. I also own multiple businesses, and I am a proud husband and father. Iโve experienced extreme highs and extreme lows throughout, and as a result, learned valuable lessons and gained meaningful insights that I bring into my coaching technique.
I developed The Ascension Method after extensive research and training, to guide high achievers towards reaching their full potential in any area of their lives without sacrificing their quality of life. I am committed to supporting their journey to live a life full of purpose, fulfilment, joy and freedom.
Managing Director, Arton Capital
Mr. Stojanoviฤ is an accomplished management executive with over 10 yearsโ experience driving the business development growth in the immigration industry. His managerial track record has continuously proven a key element in the establishment of Artonโs global operations. His targeted and efficient collaboration with government bodies, foreign agencies and the business sector is one but many of his strengths. Previously he has been involved in business ventures in multiple domains such as F&B, aviation, real estate, construction, and others. His knowledge of the political landscape of Artonโs global business combined with his educational background in Business Administration from John Cabot University in Rome make him an invaluable asset to the organization.
Vice President of Overseas Development, Galaxy Group
As Galaxy Group vice President of Oversea Development, Tang Jiang leverages over 8 years of experience in overseas hotel investment, CIP consultancy to accelerate the groupโs expansion goals in key markets. Tang is responsible for increasing the companyโs footprint in the Caribbean and North America and Europe by securing all investment to be executed in these high-demand markets.
Prior to joining Galaxy Group, Tang spent 10 years as General Counsel for several Chinese companies listing in NYSE, Hong Kong and Shanghai Stock Market. During his tenure across China, South East Asia, Africa, Tang was not only working as the head of company compliance officer being responsible for anti-corruption and anti-monetary laundry policy implementation.
Tang received a Master degree of law from China and also the certified lawyer in China. Before acquiring the qualification of the legal service license, he is also the member of Management Accounting in China.
Chief Executive Officer, RIF Trust Investments
Mimoun A. Assraoui founded RIF Trust in 2013 in the financial heart of Dubai, and his company has grown to be the leading international Residency and Citizenship-by-Investment advisory in the MENA region. As a French national, Mr. Assraoui is a member of the French Business Council as well as various other business councils around the world. He has worked diligently to build strong relationships with the UAE Government and Mr. Assraoui is also the Trade Commissioner of Vanuatu in the UAE, which is the Vanuatu Governmentโs first and only representative office in the UAE. Mimoun Assraoui is a native French speaker, fluent in Spanish and English and has conversational knowledge of Japanese, Arabic & Italian.
In 2018, RIF Trust merged with Latitude Limited to expand internationally to over 19 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Malaysia & Singapore, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, UAE, UK and the USA.
In less than a decade, the Chief Executive Officer of RIF Trust & Vice-Chairman of Latitude Group, Mimoun, A. Assraoui and Chief Operation Officer and Managing Partner of RIF Trust and Latitude Group, David Regueiro, have led the Residency & Citizenship by Investment (RCBI) industry in the Middle East and Africa soar to new heights by assisting over 2,000 high-net-worth individuals create the ultimate Plan B for themselves, their businesses and their families โ a second citizenship.
Chief Explorer, Global Indian Series
Rajan Nazran is the explorer in chief for the Global Indian Series, the worldโs largest multi award winning portal of its kind. It has been classed as a purpose driven power brand and lauded for its work in mooring communities together. In addition to its Podcast series and long form journalism, it now has over 25 Ambassadors, including Heads of state, Royalty, members of the house of Lords, not to mention world famous performers and entrepreneurs. The platform has impacted change globally, with its ambassadors supporting over 35,000 youths. What is more, it has helped change the legal structure in the USA by helping ending child marriage. Rajan Nazran’s voyages have seen him cover over 58 countries, plunging him into the human experience all the way. They have seen him delve into our notions of identity and take a second look at the countries people of Indian origin call home. He is a dear friend to the region and St Lucia CIP are proud to be long term supporters of his work.
President of the Maserati Ownerโs Club, UAE
Born in Lebanon in 1977, at the time the country was being torn by civil war, the youngest of three siblings to a family known for their fashion business. He graduated from the Lebanese American University in Byblos, Lebanon with a bachelor of science in Banking and finance followed by an MBA from the University of Sunderland in the UK. Michel started his career working with American Life Insurance Company in Beirut and then moved for a short period of time with HSBC in the UK before moving back to the insurance industry in the UAE back in 2004 where he has been living and working since and is currently the Executive Director for Health Solutions with the leading insurance broker Aon. His love and passion for all things automotive has also led him to be one of the founding members of the Maserati Owners Club in the UAE to which he’s now the President.
Director, Citizenship by Investment Board
Mr. Sean Alexander is anย Assistant Superintendent of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Forceย (RSLPFโ) andย serves as the nominee of the Minister with responsibility for National Security on Citizenship by Investment Board.ย Mr. Alexander has a long-standing thirty-two-year career with theย RSLPF and has worked in numerous departments namelyย theย ย Criminal Investigations Department for six years , the Drug Unit for eight years , theย Central Intelligence Unit for three years and the Major Crimes Unit for two years . Mr. Alexanderโs most recent postings has been with the Immigration Department fromย June 2016 to August 2018 as the Head of Immigration and his present posting effective from August 2018 to October 2021 is as the Commander of the Dennery and Richfond Police Station.ย Mr Alexander has been awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the Commissioner of the RSLPF for exemplary performance and dedication to duty.
Apart from being well experienced in the work of numerous police departments, Mr. Alexander holds a Bachelorโs degree inย Criminal Justice from Monroe College and a Post Graduate Certificate in Security and Risk Management from Leicester University. There are also numerous training courses pursued by Mr. Alexander which renders him an excellent inclusion to the CIP Board since one of the primary aims are to ensure that the national security of Saint Lucia is preserved as a paramount consideration.ย Such training courses include :
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Business Development Manager, Consolidating Contractors Company
Highly effective human resource manager with over 15 years of experience specializing in translating business vision into HR initiatives that improve performance, profitability, growth, and employee engagement. He currently holds the duties of business development manager for consolidating contractors company.
As of 2020, Saint Luciaโs population was 183,629.
Saint Luciaโs populationโs GDP per capita is US$11,791.70.
The economic sectors are manufacturing, accommodation and food services, and communication and information.
Saint Luciaโs labour force participation rate is 71%.
Invest Saint Lucia is the official Investment Promotion Agency of the Government of Saint Lucia and is responsible for the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Saint Lucia. It is also responsible for stimulating and facilitating investment opportunities for local investors.
We help companies settle in our country providing specialized advisory and guidance in the following areas: investment advisory, investment facilitation, set-up and investment retention or expansion.
Our Services:
Our services are free of charge.
All investors, both national and foreign.
Since its creation, Invest Saint Lucia (formerly National Development Corporation) has promoted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in strategic sectors such as Manufacturing and Agro-processing, Tourism and Business Outsourcing Services to generate employment and greater opportunities for its people with the goal of contributing to the socio-economic development of Saint Lucia.
In 2020, the companies in the various sectors of tourism, business process outsourcing, and manufacturing created 1,360 jobs in the country from investments facilitated by Invest Saint Lucia. For more information, please visit the resource centre.